Rural Roundup – Nov. 12, 2014

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This article was published 12/11/2014 (4160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

• A man reported a bizarre incident of extortion to the Russell RCMP recently.

The man said he received a Facebook friend request from an unknown woman, who he later had a conversation with via Skype.

Soon after the Internet chat, he received a digitally altered image which showed him in a sexually compromising position.

Attached to the emailed photo was an extortion attempt demanding that $100 be wired to an account in the Ivory Coast or the image would be sent to all of the man’s Facebook friends.

Police advised the man to delete his Facebook account and not to send any money.

» Russell Banner

• Birtle’s Matt Quinney is wrapping up his first season with the Westman Wolverines football team.

The former Park West Outlaws high school player suits up on special teams and at linebacker.

“What keeps me playing is the lessons I learn every practice about working hard, being humble and trying to improve, and trying to show the people in my life like my ex-coaches, friends and family how much they mean to me by putting the most effort into playing the game I love,” Quinney said.

» Crossroads This Week

• More than 40 Minnedosa Collegiate students recently pushed their textbooks aside and got a taste of the working world.

Students job-shadowed professionals in the community to get a sense of life after the classroom.

“I think this is a great opportunity to give students a sneak peek into the world of work,” Rolling River School Division career preparation and exploration co-ordinator Jessica Raupers said. “My hope is that they will get an idea of the career that they are shadowing, (and it) is one they can see themselves being a part of long term.”

» Minnedosa Tribune

• Known as the “Two Sylvias,” Sylvia Hanlin of Roblin and Miniota’s Sylvia Jewar were among the more than 50 musicians who shared their passion for music, from bluegrass and gospel to traditional country and old-time music, at the Birdtail Valley Harvest Jamboree in Birtle.

» Crossroads This Week

• The Manitou Airport celebrated its 50th anniversary on Oct. 25.

The airport started when local flyers rented land from the Village of Manitou and created an unlicensed landing strip north of the community.

Percy Lea, Nick Orzechowski and Bruce Pelechaty played big roles in getting the airport off the ground.

» The Western Canadian

• Virden’s Ann Collen won the year-end buckle for the highest points in barrel racing at the Manitoba Finals Rodeo in Brandon recently.

Joe King of Virden captured the award in steer wresting, winning a trophy saddle, while the family horse was voted top steer wrestling horse.

Lance Brown and Scott Sigfusson were the team roping champs.

» Virden Empire-Advance

• Elkhorn’s Karli Frederick is a newcomer to the Yellowhead Chiefs female AAA midget team, but she doesn’t look out of place.

“Karli is fitting in well and adjusting to this level of game,” coach Derek Tibbatts said. “She benefits from learning from the more experienced players and is eager to learn. She has a great work ethic and (it) will be a great year for her.”

» Virden Empire-Advance

• Hand-felted clothing and accessories are now available locally in Neepawa after dressmaker Olga Boyko decided to try the craft.

After spending three months practising and perfecting her technique, Boyko has made a variety of garments, including jackets, vests, scarves, mittens and slippers.

Making a vest takes about eight hours, while a jacket can take between two and four days, according to Boyko.

» Neepawa Banner

• Sharon Weidenhamer was named the Citizen of the Year at the Deloraine and District Chamber of Commerce awards recently.

Weidenhamer, who has volunteered her whole life, has served as president of the Legion Auxiliary as well as working on several minor hockey and figure skating groups.

“I was so surprised to have been nominated,” she said. “Thank you so much. My family has always been behind me. I’ve done what I could. I am so proud to be a Deloraine citizen.”

» Deloraine Times and Star

• John Fast was awarded a life membership into the Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies recently.

Fast has been a director with Rivers Ag Society since 1963.

Forrest’s Grant Moffat was also awarded a life membership posthumously, as well as Stan Cochrane.

“Stan is passionate about fairs and the people who organize them; his heart and soul are in the fair movement. Stan is one of those amazing volunteers and leaders who are always there when needed. He has spearheaded the major project of the renovation and refitting of the historic fair building into an interactive agricultural museum for children.”

» Rivers Banner

• Trainer Ed Dyck believes the Boissevain Border Kings will be better this year.

“I started as soon as we were done last spring,” Dyck said about recruiting players to the Tiger Hills Hockey League team. “I kept my eyes and ears open, kept texting and phoning, texting and phoning. It never left my mind.”

The team added a number of key players and Dyck believes the team will compete.

“I am really excited by our fowards,” he said. “We have three very competitive lines. We will switch up a bit, but once the chemistry flows, once we find the balance, this will work.”

» Boissevain Recorder

• Record cattle prices have producers excited about the future of a once depressed industry.

With calves fetching more than $4 per pound, Allan Munroe, manager of the Killarney Auction, said producers are pulling in six-figure cheques.

“It’s just beyond our imagination. It’s been building since January. It’s almost been higher every week since then, and this week is the first week where it’s actually levelled out. I though we hit the peak months ago, but it kept going up,” he said. “One guy went out of the door on Monday and he did a little jig outside my office door. He was holding his cheque and dancing. I’d never seen that before.”

» Killarney Guide

• Stockton’s Valerie Outhwaite won a new 2014 Jeep Wrangler courtesy of Brandon Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and 880 CKLQ.

Outhwaite, who owns Glenboro’s Petals and Presents, was the winner of the radio station’s Beat the Beep contest.

“I heard the beep one morning and phoned in, and I was the right caller,” she said. “I had to go in and pick up an envelope of the rules and I got a coloured key.”

That key got her through the first level of the contest when all of the coloured keys were ruled out, except yellow.

With 10 people left, Outhwaite had key six.

“When I put the key in and it turned, my jaw dropped to the floor! I started crying. I was so overwhelmed and excited.”

» The Gazette